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HIV and Weight Loss

Topic Overview

Weight loss in
people with HIV has many possible causes. If you lose weight fast, it may be
because you have another infection along with HIV. This type of illness is
called an
opportunistic infection.

Gradual weight
loss may be due to problems with nutrition. You may lose weight if you cannot
eat enough food or if your body cannot absorb all the nutrients from the food
you eat.

Pain in your mouth, from sores or a yeast infection called
thrush, can make it hard to eat.

You may
not feel like eating because you are sick to your stomach or food just doesn't
appeal to you. HIV itself or HIV medicines can cause you to feel this
way.

You may not feel like eating because you are depressed.
Depression can make you lose your appetite. If you
have lost interest in activities you used to enjoy or have other depression
symptoms, tell your doctor.

If you have diarrhea, your body may not
be able to absorb all of the nutrition from your food.

If you are a
man and you have a low level of the hormone
testosterone, your body may not be able to turn your
food into muscle tissue.

When you lose weight, you lose muscle,
fat, or both. Exercising to build muscle and eating healthy foods are part of
treatment. Your doctor also may change your medicines or add new ones.

Eating healthy

Eating a healthy, balanced diet with
enough protein and calories may help you keep weight on. It also can help your
immune system stay strong to fight infection.

If you are sick to your stomach or don't feel
like eating, discuss your medicines with your doctor. It may be possible to
change medicines. Do not change medicines on your own. Always discuss changes
in medicines with your doctor, and make those decisions
together.

If you don't feel like eating, eat your favourite foods.
Eat smaller meals several times a day instead of a few large
ones.

Drink high-calorie protein shakes between meals. Try
nutritious drinks, such as Ensure or Boost. Protein or
energy bars are another good way to get extra calories between
meals.

If you have diarrhea, eat bland foods like rice, bananas, or
bread. Avoid high-fibre foods. Milk products can cause diarrhea for some people
who react to the sugar or lactose in the milk. If you have this problem, try
lactose-free or soy-based products.

If you have mouth sores, avoid
spicy foods, hot or cold foods, oranges, grapefruit, and other citrus fruits.
Stay away from hard or crunchy foods. Use a straw when you
drink.

If you are sick to your stomach, try drinking peppermint or
ginger tea.

Exercise

Exercise may help you feel better and
strengthen your muscles. It also may improve your immune system, which can help
you fight infection.

Make sure to talk with your doctor before you
start your exercise program, especially if you haven't been active for a long
time.

Exercise:

Is safe.

Improves strength and
endurance.

Improves heart and lung fitness.

May help
you feel less tired.

Enhances your sense of well-being.

Walking is a good way to get aerobic exercise. Start slowly
if you haven't been active. Try 20 minutes a day or two 10-minute walks. Slowly
increase your time. Try to walk as often as you can.

Weight lifting
also can build your strength. Again, talk to your doctor first, and ask how to
start a program that works for you. If you can't get to a gym, you can use soup
cans or other things around the house as weights.

Competitive
sports do not pose a risk of spreading HIV to other athletes or coaches. In
sports in which exposure to blood can occur, the risk of spreading HIV is very
small. But if a person, HIV-infected or not, starts to bleed, he or she should
leave the game, and the wounds should be covered before the person
returns.

Medicines

If you are not already taking
antiretroviral medicines, your doctor may want you to
start. You may need medicines that increase your appetite or help with
nausea.

Hormones, such as testosterone, and
anabolic steroids, such as nandrolone, may be used to
help build muscle. Growth hormone also may be used.

Lipodystrophy

Taking HIV medicines can cause a
problem called lipodystrophy. It is the redistribution of fat in your
body.

You may lose fat from your legs, arms, buttocks, or face. But
you may gain it in your stomach, chest, back of the neck, and upper
shoulders.